Result in ft³
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Equivalent volume
Accurate volume conversion between litres (L) and cubic feet (ft³) — metric to imperial made simple
Convert litres to cubic feet instantly using the exact factor of 0.0353147. Full multi-unit breakdown into ft³, cm³, m³, US gallons, and UK gallons — all in one free tool for 2026.
Professional volume conversion for construction, HVAC, storage, shipping, plumbing, and fluid engineering
The litre is the standard metric unit for everyday liquid volumes, while the cubic foot is widely used in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries that follow imperial or US customary measurement systems. The exact conversion factor is 1 litre = 0.0353147 ft³ and inversely 1 ft³ = 28.3168 litres. Unlike purely metric conversions, this requires a non-integer multiplication — making a reliable calculator essential for accuracy. The relationship comes from the definition of the foot (1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly) and the metre-based definition of the litre (1 L = 0.001 m³).
Switch instantly between Litres → Cubic Feet and Cubic Feet → Litres conversion modes. The results panel simultaneously displays the equivalent volume in six common units — ft³, L, cm³, m³, US gallons, and UK gallons — giving you complete cross-unit context from a single input. This is especially valuable for construction professionals, HVAC engineers, and shipping/logistics teams who work across both metric and imperial specifications within the same project or document and need all relevant units at a glance.
The litres-to-cubic-feet conversion is critical across many industries: Construction and architecture — concrete volume, excavation, fill material specified in both m³/L and ft³; HVAC engineering — air duct volumes, airflow rates (CFM = cubic feet per minute vs. L/s); Shipping and freight — cargo volume in ft³ vs. litres for billing and capacity; Plumbing — pipe volumes, water heater tank capacities; Gas and fuel storage — tank sizes in both metric and imperial; Aquariums and pools — US/UK market tank sizes typically in gallons/ft³, metric in L.
Select conversion direction, enter your volume value, and get instant multi-unit results
The litre (L) is a metric unit of volume defined as one cubic decimetre (1 dm³ = 0.001 m³). The cubic foot (ft³) is an imperial/US customary unit defined as the volume of a cube with sides of exactly one foot (1 ft = 0.3048 m). Therefore, 1 ft³ = (0.3048)³ m³ = 0.028316846592 m³ exactly, and since 1 L = 0.001 m³, we get 1 ft³ = 28.3168466 litres. Reversely, 1 L = 1/28.3168466 ft³ = 0.0353147 ft³. These conversion factors are derived purely from the exact definition of the foot in terms of metres, making them perfectly precise — the only rounding is in how many decimal places we choose to display.
The conversion is a classic metric-to-imperial bridge calculation. Since the cubic foot is a three-dimensional unit, the linear conversion factor (1 ft = 0.3048 m) must be cubed: 0.3048³ = 0.028316846592 m³/ft³. This is why the factor (≈28.317) is not a round number — it reflects the historical definition of the foot, which was not designed to align neatly with the metric system. In everyday use, the approximation 1 ft³ ≈ 28.32 L (or the inverse 1 L ≈ 0.03531 ft³) is sufficiently accurate for most construction and engineering applications, but this calculator uses the full precision factor for maximum accuracy.
Example: 100 L × 0.0353147 = 3.53147 ft³ | 10 ft³ × 28.3168 = 283.168 L
1 L = 0.0353147 ft³ | 1 ft³ = 28.3168 L | 1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³ | 1 ft³ = 1,728 in³ | 1 ft = 0.3048 m (exact)
To convert litres to cubic feet, multiply the litre value by 0.0353147 (or divide by 28.3168). To convert cubic feet back to litres, multiply by 28.3168. Here are three practical worked examples:
Input: 150 L (tank capacity)
Formula: 150 × 0.0353147
= 5.297 ft³
= typical residential hot water tank
Input: 10 ft³ (ordered volume)
Formula: 10 × 28.3168
= 283.168 L
= small concrete pour / footing
Input: 20 ft³ (US fridge spec)
Formula: 20 × 28.3168
= 566.34 L
= typical family-size refrigerator
L → ft³ (quick estimate): Divide litres by 28 for a fast approximation. Example: 280 L ÷ 28 = 10 ft³ (exact: 9.888 ft³ — error <1.2%). ft³ → L (quick estimate): Multiply by 28 for a close result. Example: 5 ft³ × 28 = 140 L (exact: 141.58 L — error <1.2%). Precision method: Use the full factor 28.3168 or 0.0353147 for engineering and technical applications. Key benchmarks: 1 ft³ ≈ 28.32 L; 10 ft³ ≈ 283.2 L; 100 ft³ ≈ 2,832 L; 1,000 ft³ ≈ 28,317 L. Cubic inches: 1 ft³ = 1,728 in³; 1 in³ = 0.01639 L = 16.39 mL. Useful bridge: 1 m³ = 1,000 L = 35.3147 ft³, so 1 ft³ = 1/35.3147 m³.
Complete reference table from small liquid volumes through large industrial capacities, with ft³, cm³, m³, and US gallon equivalents plus real-world context for each value. Desktop shows the full table; mobile shows grouped cards.
| Litres (L) | Cubic Feet (ft³) | Cubic cm (cm³) | m³ | US Gallons | Real-World Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 L | 0.01766 ft³ | 500 cm³ | 0.0005 | 0.132 | Small water bottle |
| 1 L | 0.03531 ft³ | 1,000 cm³ | 0.001 | 0.264 | 1 litre bottle |
| 2 L | 0.07063 ft³ | 2,000 cm³ | 0.002 | 0.528 | Large soft drink bottle |
| 5 L | 0.17657 ft³ | 5,000 cm³ | 0.005 | 1.321 | Paint tin / jerrycan |
| 10 L | 0.35315 ft³ | 10,000 cm³ | 0.01 | 2.642 | Large bucket |
| 20 L | 0.70629 ft³ | 20,000 cm³ | 0.02 | 5.283 | Fuel canister |
| 28.317 L | 1.000 ft³ | 28,317 cm³ | 0.02832 | 7.481 | Exactly 1 cubic foot |
| 50 L | 1.766 ft³ | 50,000 cm³ | 0.05 | 13.209 | Large drum / suitcase |
| 75 L | 2.649 ft³ | 75,000 cm³ | 0.075 | 19.813 | Camping cooler |
| 100 L | 3.531 ft³ | 100,000 cm³ | 0.1 | 26.417 | Standard oil drum / bathtub fill |
| 150 L | 5.297 ft³ | 150,000 cm³ | 0.15 | 39.626 | Water heater tank |
| 200 L | 7.063 ft³ | 200,000 cm³ | 0.2 | 52.834 | Large water drum |
| 250 L | 8.829 ft³ | 250,000 cm³ | 0.25 | 66.043 | Large aquarium |
| 283.168 L | 10.000 ft³ | 283,168 cm³ | 0.2832 | 74.805 | Exactly 10 cubic feet |
| 400 L | 14.126 ft³ | 400,000 cm³ | 0.4 | 105.669 | Large water storage tank |
| 500 L | 17.657 ft³ | 500,000 cm³ | 0.5 | 132.086 | Industrial drum / livestock tank |
| 566.34 L | 20.000 ft³ | 566,340 cm³ | 0.5663 | 149.61 | Family refrigerator (20 ft³) |
| 1,000 L | 35.315 ft³ | 1,000,000 cm³ | 1.0 | 264.172 | 1 m³ / IBC tote tank |
| 1,500 L | 52.972 ft³ | 1,500,000 cm³ | 1.5 | 396.258 | Large household cistern |
| 2,000 L | 70.629 ft³ | 2,000,000 cm³ | 2.0 | 528.344 | Small above-ground pool |
| 2,831.68 L | 100.000 ft³ | 2,831,685 cm³ | 2.832 | 748.05 | Exactly 100 cubic feet |
| 5,000 L | 176.573 ft³ | 5,000,000 cm³ | 5.0 | 1,320.86 | Small swimming pool section |
| 10,000 L | 353.147 ft³ | 10,000,000 cm³ | 10.0 | 2,641.72 | Standard swimming pool section |
| 28,316.8 L | 1,000.000 ft³ | 28,316,800 cm³ | 28.317 | 7,480.52 | Exactly 1,000 cubic feet |
🟢 Green = small / everyday | 🟧 Orange = household / medium industrial | 🔵 Blue = large / commercial
Concrete volumes in the US are typically quoted in cubic yards (yd³) or cubic feet (ft³), while metric countries use litres and m³. A concrete ready-mix truck in the US holds approximately 8 yd³ = 216 ft³ = 6,116 L. Concrete for a footing measuring 2 ft × 2 ft × 8 ft = 32 ft³ = 906.1 L. Site excavation volumes specified in ft³ by US architects need to be converted to litres (or m³) for metric subcontractors and material suppliers. This conversion is routine in international construction projects where both metric and imperial drawings circulate on the same job site.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems in the US use cubic feet per minute (CFM) as the standard airflow unit, while European and metric systems use litres per second (L/s) or m³/h. Converting duct volumes and room air exchange rates between these units requires the litres-to-ft³ conversion. A typical room of 3 m × 4 m × 2.5 m = 30 m³ = 30,000 L = 1,059.4 ft³. A ventilation system rated at 200 CFM = 200 ft³/min = 5,663 L/min = 94.4 L/s. HVAC technicians and building services engineers working internationally need this conversion constantly.
International freight volume billing uses cubic metres (CBM) for metric shipments and cubic feet for US/imperial shipments. Converting cargo volumes between these units for customs documents, freight quotes, and load planning requires the L-to-ft³ factor. A standard 20-foot shipping container has an internal volume of approximately 33.2 m³ = 33,200 L = 1,172.4 ft³. A pallet of goods measuring 1.2 m × 1.0 m × 1.8 m = 2.16 m³ = 2,160 L = 76.28 ft³. Freight brokers and logistics companies routinely convert between these units for international rate calculations.
Water storage tanks and water heaters in the US are rated in gallons and cubic feet, while metric-country products are rated in litres. A 40-gallon US water heater = 151.4 L = 5.35 ft³. A 1,000-litre water storage tank = 35.31 ft³. Residential plumbing calculations — pipe volume, flow rates, pressure vessel sizing — often require converting between L and ft³ when working with mixed-specification components. Municipal water utilities in countries transitioning from imperial to metric need to convert historic cubic-feet-per-day flow data to litres-per-day for modern reporting.
Refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and storage appliances sold in the US market list capacity in cubic feet, while the same appliances in European and Asian markets list capacity in litres. A US refrigerator specified at 20 ft³ = 566.3 L; a European model at 400 L = 14.13 ft³. Walk-in coolers for restaurants are designed in ft³ in the US (e.g., a 5 ft × 5 ft × 7 ft cooler = 175 ft³ = 4,955.4 L). Consumers comparing appliance sizes across markets, and purchasing agents importing or exporting appliances, need this conversion for accurate comparison and compliance documentation.
Aquarium sizing in the US uses gallons and sometimes cubic feet, while European aquarists use litres. A 100-litre aquarium = 3.531 ft³ = 26.42 US gallons. A standard 55-gallon US aquarium = 208.2 L = 7.35 ft³. Swimming pool capacity calculations in the US often use cubic feet of water before converting to gallons for chemical treatment quantities. A pool measuring 20 ft × 40 ft × 5 ft average depth = 4,000 ft³ = 113,267 L = 29,922 US gallons. Pool builders and pool chemical suppliers working internationally regularly need to convert between these units for both design and chemical dosing calculations.
1 L = 0.0353147 ft³. 1 ft³ = 28.3168 L. 1 m³ = 1,000 L = 35.3147 ft³. 10 ft³ = 283.168 L. 100 ft³ = 2,831.68 L. 1,000 ft³ = 28,316.8 L. Common tank sizes: 100 L = 3.531 ft³; 150 L = 5.297 ft³; 200 L = 7.063 ft³; 500 L = 17.657 ft³. US refrigerators: 18 ft³ = 509.7 L; 20 ft³ = 566.3 L; 25 ft³ = 707.9 L. Quick rule: Divide litres by 28.3 for ft³; multiply ft³ by 28.3 for litres. For precision: use 28.3168 (multiply) or 0.0353147 (multiply). Always use the full 7-digit factor for engineering and technical calculations.
A common error is confusing cubic feet (ft³) with cubic metres (m³), which differ by a factor of 35.3147 — a very large difference. For example, 1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³, NOT 1 ft³. Similarly, do not confuse linear feet (a 1D measurement) with cubic feet (a 3D measurement): a pipe that is 10 feet long does NOT contain 10 ft³ of water — its volume depends on the cross-sectional area. Also note that there are two types of gallons — the US gallon (3.785 L) and the UK/imperial gallon (4.546 L) — which differ by about 20%. When comparing US appliance specs (in US gallons or ft³) with European specs (in litres), always use the correct conversion factor for the specific unit system involved.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides the authoritative definitions for US customary volume units including the cubic foot, US gallon, and their exact relationships to SI metric units. NIST Handbook 44 and Special Publication 811 establish the exact conversion factor 1 ft = 0.3048 m (exact), from which the cubic foot to litre relationship (1 ft³ = 28.316846592 L) is derived. These definitions are the basis of all unit conversions used in this calculator.
Visit NIST →The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) maintains the international definition of the metre and the litre (= 1 dm³ = 0.001 m³), and publishes the official SI unit relationships. The BIPM SI Brochure (9th edition, 2019) confirms the exact relationship between the metre and the foot through the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, which set 1 foot = 0.3048 metres exactly — the foundation of this entire conversion.
Visit BIPM →Explore the full library of free unit converters on ConceteMetric.com — covering volume, temperature, pressure, length, weight, area, and energy. All tools are mobile-friendly, scientifically accurate, and completely free to use throughout 2026 with no sign-up required. New converters are regularly added across all unit categories.
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